Salary Range: £31,498 to £39,729, plus excellent benefits.
The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute are seeking to recruit a Senior Bioinformatician who can facilitate the scientific work of the Jones group by leading the computational data analysis support for the team and their collaborators. The group, led by Phil Jones, studies pre-cancer, how mutant cells evolve into cancers in humans and model systems (http://www.sanger.ac.uk/science/groups/jones-group). We are interested in how mutant clones compete with each other and interact with the cancer promoting environment during epithelial cancer evolution in order to guide new cancer prevention therapy. Our cross disciplinary approach exploits quantitative methods to link mutation with changes in cell dynamics (see links 1-3 below). Recent work includes developing a new deep sequencing technique to reveal a high density of clonal mutations in normal human skin, basis of skin stem cell cell fate and developing new models of oesophageal cancer. The group is a mixture of experimentalists and quantitative biologists. The post holder will be able to exploit extensive bioinformatics expertise within the Institute. Many of our experiments involve the generation of large quantities of genome and exome sequencing and RNAseq including single cell transcriptomics which require strong computational skills to create high quality mutation calls and carry out statistical analysis to interpret the effects of mutation. Collaborating within the team to integrate genomic analysis with other types of data to resolve the cellular and tissue effects of mutations within tissues is an important part of what we do. The post-holder must be an excellent communicator and be able to understand the scientific background and technical detail of the team's projects, and be to be proficient at devising and implementing software solutions and statistical analysis. This role would suit somebody with significant previous bioinformatics experience who wishes to gain knowledge of next-generation sequencing technologies and their application to clonal evolution, although experience with next-gen data is highly desirable. The successful candidate will work in conjunction with other computational biologists in the group and with other teams at the WTSI. 1) Martincorena I, Roshan A, Gerstung M, Ellis P, Van Loo P et al. Science 2015;348; 880-6. Tumor evolution. High burden and pervasive positive selection of somatic mutations in normal human skin. PUBMED: 25999502; DOI: 10.1126/science.aaa6806 2) Roshan A, Murai K, Fowler J, Simons BD, Nikolaidou-Neokosmidou V and Jones PH. Human keratinocytes have two interconvertible modes of proliferation. Nature cell biology 2016;18;145-56. PUBMED: 26641719; DOI: 10.1038/ncb3282 3) Frede J, Greulich P, Nagy T, Simons BD and Jones PH. A single dividing cell population with imbalanced fate drives oesophageal tumour growth. Nature cell biology 2016;18, 967-78. PUBMED: 27548914; DOI: 10.1038/ncb3400

Essential Skills

A degree or further degree related to biology/genetics/computer science/mathematics ideally at PhD level
Experience of bioinformatics and familiarity with genome data

Evidence of proficiency in Perl/Python programming or another modern computer language

Strong UNIX/LINUX skills

Experience of researching/using/supporting external software packages

Ability to rapidly attain new technical skills and understanding of new technical concepts

A high level of communication skills to be able to elicit complex requirements from, and convey complex information to, group members with different levels of technical knowledge

Ability to quickly adapt to new problems and ideas

Ability to work unsupervised

Excellent problem-solving skills

Ideal Skills

R and/or Matlab programming experience

Experience of working with biological analysis pipelines on multi-node compute clusters

Experience in pathway analysis software

Proficient in statistical analysis of genome-wide datasets

Other information

The Sanger Institute is a charitably funded research centre focused on understanding the role of genetics in health and disease. We use state of the art large-scale genomic approaches to drive world-leading projects to uncover the basis of genetic and infectious disease. Our goal is to provide results that can be translated into diagnostics, treatments or therapies that reduce global health burdens. The Institute is located near Cambridge, UK on the stunning Wellcome Genome Campus. This growing and dynamic site is the British hub of genomic science. It hosts the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI), Open Targets, a Biodata Innovation Centre and will soon host Genomics England Limited’s 100,000 Genomes Sequencing Centre. The Campus is also home to Wellcome Genome Campus Connecting Science. Connecting Science inspires new thinking, sparks conversation and supports learning by drawing on the ground-breaking research taking place on the Campus. Its mission is to enable everyone to explore genomic science and its impact on research, health and society. To help researchers to develop their skills and networks, the Institute hosts a range of scientific seminars with internal and invited speakers, scientific group meetings and skills development workshops. Our Benefits include: Defined Contribution Pension Scheme, Group Income Protection, Healthcare scheme, Childcare Vouchers, Workplace Nursery and 25 days Annual Leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30, plus Bank Holidays. We also have a gym, two cafes, dining facilities, and a free campus bus service. Our thriving Sports and Social Club provides many opportunities to meet with people working across the campus. Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute welcomes applications from all candidates irrespective of age, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief, or marital or civil partnership status. Please include a covering letter and CV with your application. If you have any informal queries please contact Phil Jones pj3@sanger.ac.uk. Closing date for applications: 5th April 2017 , however applications will be considered and reviewed on an on-going basis and therefore the post may be filled before the deadline.